Fence-post.



'PATENTED Nov. 10,1903.

A. M. SMITH.

FENCE POST.

uruoumu FILED mm. 5, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Iatented ovember l0, 190d.

ALFRED M. SMITH, OF BEEBE, ALABAMA.

FENC E-PosT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent no. 743,580, datedNovember 10, 1903.

' Application filed March 5, 1908 $eria1 lilo. 146.388. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern 7 Be it known that I, ALFRED M. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beebe, in the county of Fayette, State of Alabama,

4 have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which a it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to fence-posts in general and more particularly to the class of metallic fence-posts; and it has for its object to provide a post which may beformed of sheet steel in tubular shape and to which fencewires may be firmly secured at various points longitudinally thereof and with respect to which said wires may be easily and quickly applied and removed.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the post embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section including the clip-plate and its clampingbolt. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the post at a point above a wire-clamp. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the clamping-plate of the wire-clamp. v

Referring now to the drawings, the present post comprises a body portion 5, consisting of a sheet of metal which is rolled transversely into tubular form, the side edges of the plate being spaced apart to form a'vertical or longitudinal slot 6. In connection with the post may be employed any number of wire-fastening clamps to correspond to the number of wires in the fence to be supported. Each of the wire-clamps consists of a clamping-plate 7, one end portion of which is bent over at right angles, as shown at 8, and from this portion 8 projects a finger 9, which slidably engages the longitudinal slot 6, so that the rest against the face of the post adjacent to the longitudinal slot of the latter.

At the opposite end of the plate 7 from the flange or bent-over portion 8 extends a narrowed finger 10, which is curved longitudinally, so as to slidably engage in the slot 6,

adjacent edge of the portion or flange 8 willthe lower end of the plate resting with its edge against the face of the post.

The fence-wire (shown at 11) is received between the post and the upper portion of the clamping-plate and lies in the angle between said plate and the flange 8 thereof. To draw the clamping-plates against the side of the post, a bolt 12 is provided, the stem of which is disposed in the longitudinal slot of the post for sliding movement therein, while the head lies within the post and prevents Withdrawal of the bolt throughthe slot. The clampingplate has a central perforation, through which is passed the stem of the bolt, and beyond the plate a nut 13 is engaged with the stem, so that it may be moved to impinge against the plate and press the latter against the post.

W'hen a wire is to be clamped to the post,

the clip is adjusted vertically of the post to the proper point and the nut is backed up sufficiently far to permit of withdrawal of the upper finger of the clamping-plate from the slot of the post, after which the wire is disposed over the bolt and behind the clampingplate.- The not is then screwed up on the stem of the bolt to cause the clamping-plate to press the wire against the post. At the same time the lower edge of the clampingplate is caused to grip tightly against the face of the post, and as the plate is at an angle to the face of the post any downward tendency of the fence-wire tends to force this lower edge of the clamping plate more tightly against the post, and hence downward slipping of the clip is prevented. It will be understood that instead of properly positioning the clip before engagement of the fence-wire therewith the wire may be first engaged with the clip and then the wire moved vertically with the clip to the proper position. With this construction the wire is held firmly and adjustably to the post, and by slightly loosening the clip the wire may be drawn through itto give proper tension, it being particularly noted that any downward pressure on the wire tends to swing the lower edge of the clamping-plate more tightly against the post, with the head of the bolt as a pivot, so that the wire is not liable to displacement.

In practice modifications of the specific construction shown may be made, and any suitable materials and proportions may be used for the various parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

WVhat is claimed is l. The combination with a post having a longitudinal slot therein, of a clamping-plate having fingers slidably engaged in the slot, and a bolt slidably engaged in the slot, said bolt having its head disposed within the post and against the inner face thereof andhaving its stern passed slidably through the clamping-plate, and a nut disposed upon the stem of the bolt.

2. The'combination with a post having a longitudinal slot therein, of a clamping-plate having a laterally-directed flange at one end andhaving fingers projecting from said flange and the opposite end of the plate respectively and slidably engaged in the slot of the post, the edges of the flange and the opposite end of the plate respectively resting against the face of the post, a bolt lying with its head Within the post and having its stem passed through the slot of the post and through the clamping-plate, and a clamping-nut engaged With the free end portion of the bolt.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

' ALFRED M. SMITH.

Witnesses:

W. H. BROWN, GEO. HoWToN. 

